Black tie dress for a cash strapped student

[reluctantbrit]

DD is a member of a society which has a black tie event which looks like the women are wearing prom style dresses.

DD never went to prom so doesn't have anything suitable in her wardrobe.

Can anyone recommend a brick and mortar shop she can go to and try the dresses on?

Curvy shape, size 14 with a bit of tummy, cup size 34 E. Pastels don't suit her, she looks great in black or other strong colours, navy, wine for example.

She is in Lincoln but can go to Sheffield or York for a day.

Budget around £150 for the dress. The event was never really mentioned so it comes as a surprise and it wasn't budgeted for.

As she never went to prom I am happy to pay for it/towards it but also don't want to pay a fortune for a dress she may not wear again.

Some absolute bargains at John Lewis at the moment

I buy all of my cruising formal evening dresses on vinted definitely worth a look if she knows her size and brand preferences

If you know a good town for charity shops, they nearly always have prom style dresses. However, if you or your DD aren't charity shop-shoppers already, I suspect this would be tricky.

Vinted?

The green John Lewis dress above is gorgeous, though possibly a little Kate Middleton, which may or may not be a problem.

Vinted is not good as she needs to try them on. Honestly, the amount of clothes we order and send back is staggering.

If she had a brand she knows it fits, it may work but she is already anxious (she also is ND, that doesn't help) so ordering unknown is just not working.

They look amazing. Will send it to her.

I second the charity shop idea. You can really pick up some bargains. Otherwise if there is a TK Max nearby it is worth a look. I got an stunning dress there for a Uni Ball. I listed it on Ebay afterwards and the bidding on it was bonkers.

Charity shops and vintage shops. She has access to 3 university cities. I can't imagine why she'd start anywhere else.

If sleeveless is ok, neckline would flatter her bust size ;- https://www.debenhams.com/product/coast-feather-shoulder-detail-v-neck-satin-black-maxi-dress_bcc09713?colour=black&size=14

£368 reduced to £111, I like how unusual it is but still classic and chic : https://www.debenhams.com/product/karen-millen-crystal-embellished-cutwork-cape-detail-woven-maxi-dress_bkk26701?colour=black&size=14

Thanks, she will drag a friend around next weekend and they will consider Sheffield afterwards.

One of her ND issues is that she hates shopping and is also very sensitive to fabric. She is ok if she can go through websites to choose in advancen or get items delivered to a physical store, try it on and return if necessary. And then lives in the same style of jeans, T-shirts and shorts 90% of the year.

4th and reckless is my daughters go to . She’s a student and has a few family weddings / formal occasions to attend .

My dd sounds similar- she went to a charity shop in the poshest bit of the city and asked for help from the lovely ladies there. ( not at peak shopping time) they were delighted to help her.

The bigger Oxfam shops have a wedding/prom dress department she could try. My DD got a £400 dress for £10 in the sale for her school prom. At uni the balls have tended to be more cocktail style than full meringue or fishtail - more like this sort of thing from New Look (which is ridiculously cheap).

www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/black-ruched-off-the-shoulder-midi-dress/p/942447001

I was going to suggest New Look. We got some for a black tie event. Also TK Maxx.

Vinted.

Not a cash strapped student, but I have a record for the cheapness of my evening dresses. My job involves quite a lot of black tie events. The one I wore recently I got lots of positive comments on. It was a Gold sequin dress from Quiz. £5 on Vinted + postage. I never pay any more than £10. Vinted is the place to go, although charity shops can be good as well.

Another vote for New Look, they have a wide range of dresses for all occasions.

https://www.newlook.com/uk/womens/clothing/dresses/evening-dresses/gold-metallic-satin-pleated-maxi-dress/p/923918193

is there any rental places around near you ? there are a few near me and dresses start from 60e to rent for 3 days they have a huge selection of long short formal dressy dresses.

When I was at Lincoln uni I used to go to the charity shops at the top of the high street for black tie dresses (between the society events and college balls I ended up needing a few!). There were quite a few further up the hill than Walkabout/Madame Waffle but before the Strait and Narrow. A quick look on Google maps seems like they're still there. If you go further up the high street there are a few little independent clothes stores / vintage shops which were lovely too.

Charity shops, TK Maxx, some shops in Outlet centres do long dresses now too.

JJ’s house online had a cast selection. My DD got hers there.

Not a physical shop I'm afraid but DD has bought a couple of evening dresses from Windsor. She bought one a few weeks ago (in stretch velvet fabric) and then found a tailoring service in her uni town as it needed taking up. It had bodice style straps so was easily adjustable to fit.

Rent. Or purchase from a charity shop and get a dressmaker to alter it.

I ordered loads from Next to try on. Then was able to pick pieces up on Vinted.

I also highly recommend a proper bra fitting with an independent or Bravissimo. She's unlikely to be a size 14 and 34 back and a good fitting bra will make a world of difference to how a dress fits.

Is there an outlet village she can go to that has a next outlet? I went to one the other day that had loads of dresses that might work.